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Search results for: Ruqayyah Binti Mohamad Ali
243 Shariah Guideline on Value-Based Intermediation Implementation in the Light of Maqasid Shariah Analysis
242 A Preliminary Investigation on Factors that Influence Road Users Speeding Behaviors in Selected Roads of Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Farah Fazlinda Binti Mohamad, Siti Hikmah Binti Musthar, Ahmad Saifizul Bin Abdullah, Jamilah Mohamad, Mohamed Rehan Karim
Road safety is intolerable issue. It affects and impinges on everyone's life as the roads shared by everyone. The most vulnerable victims were the road users who cater the roads every day. It is an appalling when World Health Organization reported that Malaysian road users were ranked worst in Asian countries with 23 deaths for every 100,000 of population over the span of 12 years (World Health Organization, 2009). From this report, it is found that speeding has contributed to 60% of all accidents in the country. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate on speeding matter that occur among road users in selected roads of Peninsular Malaysia. This study on the other hand, provides an insight understanding on the factors affecting behaviour of road users to speeding in selected roads of Peninsular Malaysia. To answer the study aims, 500 sets of questionnaires were distributed among 500 respondents in selected roads of Peninsular Malaysia to obtain their opinions on the matter. The respondents were from different demographics backgrounds to have fair explanation on the issue. The answers have been analysed using descriptive analysis. The results indicated psychological factors of road users appeared to be prominent in explaining road users' behaviour to speeding. Male road users were also found dominant in speeding compared to female. Thus, this has increased their vulnerability to road injuries and deaths. These findings are very useful in order for us to improve our driving behaviour. Relevant authorities should also revise the existing countermeasures as well as designing the new countermeasures for the road users. It is nevertheless important to comprehend this speeding issue and factors associating it. This matter should be taken seriously and responsibly by each road users as road safety is a responsible of all.
Keywords: road safety, speeding, countermeasures, accidents
241 Effect of Temperature on Adsorption of Nano Ca-DTPMP Scale Inhibitor
Authors: Radhiyatul Hikmah Binti Abu, Zukhairi Bin Md Rahim, Siti Ujila Binti Masuri, Nur Ismarrubie Binti Zahari, Mohd Zobir Hussein
This paper describes the synthesis of Calcium Diethylenetriamine-penta (Ca-DTPMP) Scale Inhibitor (SI) and the effect of temperature on its adsorption onto the mineral surfaces. Nanosized particles of Ca-DTPMP SI were synthesized and TEM result shows that the sizes of the synthesized particles are ranged from 10 nm to 30 nm. This synthesized nano SI was then used in static adsorption/precipitation test with various temperatures (37°C, 60°C and 100°C) to determine the effect of temperature on its adsorption ability. The performance of the SI was measured by their diffusion capability, which can be inferred by weighing the metal-SI that successfully adsorbed onto the kaolinite (mineral) surface. The kaolinite samples were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and the results show the reduction of pores on kaolinite surface as temperature increases. This indicates higher adsorption of the SI particles onto the mineral surface. Furthermore, EDX analysis shows the presence of Phosphorus (P) and Magnesium (Mg2+) on kaolinite particle surface, hence reaffirming the fact that adsorption took place on the kaolinite surface.
Keywords: adsorption, diffusivity, scale, scale inhibitor
240 Cultural Studies: The Effect of Western Culture on Muslim Lifestyle
Authors: Farah Wahida Binti Mohamad Said
Islamic culture is the way of life a Muslim is defined by the Qur'an and Sunnah. On the other hand, Western culture is fashioned by a host of people; Capitalists, atheists, people who believe in same-gender marriages and others of a similar nature. The main issue that faced by the Muslim in Malaysia is the effect of western culture on Muslim lifestyle. This is because of the influence from western culture that dominates mind of the Muslim and also impressed on their lifestyle. Practically, majority all things have connected with western culture. However, the main objective for this project is to develop the effect of western culture on Muslim lifestyle. This project also focuses on a few aspects that relate with cultural of Muslim and western culture nowadays. This paper will include a few method .The methods for this project are a video, interview etc. Another methodology we will put on next paper for more detail information. As a result, this research found that western cultural will be effect on Muslim lifestyle.
Keywords: effect of western culture, Muslim lifestyle, western culture, western and Muslim culture
239 A Preliminary Investigation on Factors That Influence Road Users' Speeding Behaviour on Selected Roads in Peninsular Malaysia
Authors: Farah Fazlinda Binti Mohamad, Ahmad Saifizul Abdullah, Mohamed Rehan Karim , Jamilah Mohamad, Siti Hikmah Musthar
Road safety is an important issue in Malaysia. It become important as it is discussed widely throughout printed and electronic media. Most of the news portrays on road accident and fatalities have increased the concern of everyone. This issue affects everyone's life as everyone shares the roads. The most vulnerable victims are the road user who uses the roads every day. It is appalling when World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in every 100,000 of population in Malaysia, 23 fatalities recorded due to road accident alone. This figure is quite alarming and requires serious attention. Furthermore, research by Malaysian Institute of Road Safety Research concluded that that speeding has contributed to 60% of all road accident in the country. Therefore, this study aims to elucidate the factors that influence road users' speeding behaviour on selected roads in Peninsular Malaysia. To achieve this, set of questionnaires has distributed to 500 respondents on selected roads in Peninsular Malaysia. The respondents came from various demographic backgrounds in order to have a fair opinion on the issue. Using descriptive analysis, the results have indicated that psychological factors such as emotion and attitude of road user are the prominent factors that influence the road user's speeding behaviour. Furthermore, the results have shown that male road users were dominant in speeding compared to female, which led to increased vulnerability to road injuries and fatalities. These findings are very useful in order for us to understand road users' driving behaviour. Relevant authorities should also revise the existing countermeasures and find ways to reduce road accident. Engineers and road experts could cooperate in designing new road specifications for the road user. Nevertheless, it is important to comprehend this speeding issue and factors associated with it. Each road user should take this matter seriously and responsibly as road safety is a responsibility of all.
Keywords: countermeasures, psychological, road safety, speeding
238 Neurofeedback Applications for Dealing With Depression for Illegitimate Pregnant Teens: A Thesis Proposal
Authors: Mohamad Sharif bin Mustaffa, Maizatul Akmam binti Abu Bakar, Mohd Harriszamani bin Abu Bakar
Most teens who gave birth to an illegitimate child will suffer from depression. This depression issues arising from the incident itself which contains the teen will feel ashamed because labeled as immoral, apart from that most teenagers go through this episode without support from their spouse or family. Teens also face the possibility of a large part with the will be born babies because the issue of too young and needs to go back to school. Teens also can not make a decision on the future of the baby later because they are too immature and no baby care skills other than financial issues, where young people themselves are still dependent on their family. This paper will look at how to apply neurofeedback can be used to see the level of depression experienced by teenagers who get pregnant out of wedlock. Play therapy that will help improve adolescent focus will be used for this purpose. Each level experienced by teenagers going through the phase of easy-to-high difficulty level. Apart from that a recovery module will also be developed as a whole to reduce the level of depression to enable the youth to perform routine healthy activities and can go back to school with cheerful feeling, motivated and active.
Keywords: neurofeedback, depression, pregnant, adolescent, illegitimate
237 Motivation and Criteria as Determinant Factors in Accepting New Talents on User-Generated Content (UGC): Youtube as a Platform
Authors: Shereen Nadira Binti Jasney, Mohd Syuhaidi Bin Abu Bakar, Hafizah Binti Rosli
This quantitative study explored factors that motivate the public to use YouTube; and the elements of criteria, which the public are looking for to accept new talents on User-Generated Content (UGC). There are mass inputs on the net but the publics are still being very selective in accepting new talents. Thus, it is important to identify determinant factors that contribute to the acceptance of new talents on UGC. A total number of 236 respondents have participated in this study using Simple Random Sampling and they were analyzed with descriptive analysis. The findings of this paper advocate that tremendous expansion; and diversification YouTube music offers are main factors that motivated public viewers in using YouTube on accepting new talents. It is also found that by being relatable and concurrently providing interesting contents, having the artist name and song title in the YouTube talent's title video and the number of views and likes of the video are some of the criteria that the public are looking for in accepting new talents on the UGC. This paper introduces YouTube as a mean of discovering new talents in the music industry where the public, especially the younger generations, whom are actively engaged with current digital landscape that they've been presently silver-plated.
Keywords: motivation, criteria, new talents, UGC, YouTube
236 Estimation of the Effectiveness of Tasik Kemajuan and Tasik Inovasi as Flood Detention Pond at UTHM Campus
Authors: Noor Aliza Binti Ahmad, Azra Munirah Mat Daud, Sabariah Musa, Mohamad Azhar MK
Flooding is a common natural disaster in Malaysia triggered by heavy rainfall. Urbanization that increases the construction of paved areas, subsequently raise surface runoff and reduce time of concentration. It increases flood magnitude and so that leads to greater flood problems as what has happened at Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) area in December 2006 and earlier 2007. Tasik Kemajuan and Tasik Inovasi were constructed as recreation ponds and have also functioned as flood ponds. Unfortunately, the flood problem still occurs persistently. Thus, the effectiveness of Tasik Kemajuan and Tasik Inovasi in reducing the flood problems need to be investigated and the causes of flood events at UTHM Campus need to be evaluated. The results from this study show that the conditions of Tasik Kemajuan and Tasik Inovasi are effective in reducing the flood water levels. It also can be concluded that increasing water level in both lakes in UTHM Campus are significantly influenced by presence of the grass and rubbish. During dry condition, the flow rates with three different days are 59.38m3/s, 60.71m3/s and 59.08m3/s and while for wet condition in two different days are 89.59 m3/s and 86.61m3/s. In conclusion, this system should be improved to prevent future flooding either widened or reduced drainage floor, and also perform maintenance on the plants that live around the lake.
Keywords: drainage system, flood detention, lakes, storm water
235 Identity Formation Towards Design Typology of Malay Traditional House in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
Authors: Noor Hayati Binti Ismail, Mastor Bin Surat, Raja Nafida Binti Raja Shahminan, Shahrul Kamil Bin Yunus
Traditional Malay house built in the various custom and culture for every state in Malaysia. Each state has its characteristics, design and different concepts that form the distinctive identity. The uniqueness of a traditional house design is a symbolize of Negeri Sembilan society. The purpose of this paper is to introduce the feature, a traditional Malay house in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. This typology will describe five types of traditional Malay houses in Negeri Sembilan by briefly about the concept of a traditional Malay house design. The design represents a variety of purposes that are often associated with its own culture and customs practiced by the community. In addition, the design of long tapering roof with both ends of the roof went up a little bit architecture has become an identity of its own in Negeri Sembilan. The study involves several villages of traditional houses in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia. Data collection was obtained through a process of observation, interviews, questionnaire and taking photos related. Through this research, We are expected to provide awareness and also a reference to the next generation of traditional houses in Malaysia especially in Negeri Sembilan. Identity and uniqueness of traditional houses Negeri Sembilan increasingly difficult to maintain and can be kept from being lost in their own land.
Keywords: design, identity, traditional Malay house, typology
234 Measuring Multi-Class Linear Classifier for Image Classification
Authors: Fatma Susilawati Mohamad, Azizah Abdul Manaf, Fadhillah Ahmad, Zarina Mohamad, Wan Suryani Wan Awang
A simple and robust multi-class linear classifier is proposed and implemented. For a pair of classes of the linear boundary, a collection of segments of hyper planes created as perpendicular bisectors of line segments linking centroids of the classes or part of classes. Nearest Neighbor and Linear Discriminant Analysis are compared in the experiments to see the performances of each classifier in discriminating ripeness of oil palm. This paper proposes a multi-class linear classifier using Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) for image identification. Result proves that LDA is well capable in separating multi-class features for ripeness identification.
Keywords: multi-class, linear classifier, nearest neighbor, linear discriminant analysis
233 Understanding Public Opinion about Environment Issue in Kedah (Malaysia)
Authors: Roozbeh Kardooni, Ahmad Hossein Meidari, Sumiani Binti Yusoff, Fatimah Binti Kari,
The public opinion on environmental issue was analyzed by means of a survey implemented in Kedah located in the northwestern part of Peninsular Malaysia (West Malaysia). This work explores public opinions regarding environmental issue such as climate change, green technology and renewable energy in Kedah. Probability sampling and a stratified technique were used to conduct a survey with subjects aged 20 years and over with higher education qualifications. The results shows that the level of concern regarding climate change in Kedah is high and majority of Kedah citizens are concerned about climate change and have heard about green technology. However, only 40% people in this city have used green products. The findings of this study also show that percent use of green products is highest among those who are familiar with such products. It is apparent from study finding that economic barriers and non-economic barriers both play a role in impeding the development of renewable energy policies in Kedah. This finding can be explained by the high price of renewable energy products, lack of knowledge about government policies, and ineffective programs and initiatives.
Keywords: public opinion, climate change, green technology, Kedah
232 Modelling for Temperature Non-Isothermal Continuous Stirred Tank Reactor Using Fuzzy Logic
Authors: Nasser Mohamed Ramli, Mohamad Syafiq Mohamad
Many types of controllers were applied on the continuous stirred tank reactor (CSTR) unit to control the temperature. In this research paper, Proportional-Integral-Derivative (PID) controller are compared with Fuzzy Logic controller for temperature control of CSTR. The control system for temperature non-isothermal of a CSTR will produce a stable response curve to its set point temperature. A mathematical model of a CSTR using the most general operating condition was developed through a set of differential equations into S-function using MATLAB. The reactor model and S-function are developed using m.file. After developing the S-function of CSTR model, User-Defined functions are used to link to SIMULINK file. Results that are obtained from simulation and temperature control were better when using Fuzzy logic control compared to PID control.
Keywords: CSTR, temperature, PID, fuzzy logic
231 The Linear Combination of Kernels in the Estimation of the Cumulative Distribution Functions
Authors: Abdel-Razzaq Mugdadi, Ruqayyah Sani
The Kernel Distribution Function Estimator (KDFE) method is the most popular method for nonparametric estimation of the cumulative distribution function. The kernel and the bandwidth are the most important components of this estimator. In this investigation, we replace the kernel in the KDFE with a linear combination of kernels to obtain a new estimator based on the linear combination of kernels, the mean integrated squared error (MISE), asymptotic mean integrated squared error (AMISE) and the asymptotically optimal bandwidth for the new estimator are derived. We propose a new data-based method to select the bandwidth for the new estimator. The new technique is based on the Plug-in technique in density estimation. We evaluate the new estimator and the new technique using simulations and real-life data.
Keywords: estimation, bandwidth, mean square error, cumulative distribution function
230 Evolution of Minangkabau 'Induk' House and its influence on the Architecture
This study is to look the changes, development and evolution taking place in the Minangkabau house. Minangkabau traditional house is a part of the assets of Indonesia's culture and history. In addition to custom house, traditional Minangkabau building also serves as a place to live within the context of human habitats but has slowly through the changes. Luhak Nan Tigo of Luhak Tanah Datar, Agam And Luhak 50 Kota are holding the Minangkabau. 'Induk' house is the sole home, Main house or an older home for a gathering place doing activities together. The 'Genius Loci' refers to the unique aspects of the history, the value of a place, culturally and socially. Main house has the aspect of Minangkabau is a house occupied by custom rules that practice matrilineal kinship system and tendency to move out from the community. The study involves several villages and traditional houses at Padang, Bukit Tinggi, Kampar Kiri in Indonesia and Rembau, kuala Pilah, tampin in Negeri Sembilan has been selected to serve as a research field. These factors were the occurrence of evolution Minangkabau house from the 'induk', kampar and Negeri Sembilan. In this regard, the identity and uniqueness of the house increasingly difficult to sustain as well as lack of clarity can be understood by the people of the present generation.
Keywords: evolution, Genius loci, 'Induk' house, matrilineal kinship
229 Determinants of Extra Charges for Container Shipments: A Case Study of Nexus Zone Logistics
Authors: Zety Shakila Binti Mohd Yusof, Muhammad Adib Bin Ishak, Hajah Fatimah Binti Hussein
The international shipping business is related to numerous controls or regulations of export and import shipments. It is costly and time consuming, and when something goes wrong or when the buyer or seller fails to comply with the regulations, it can result in penalties, delays, and unexpected costs etc. For the focus of this study, the researchers have selected a local forwarder that provides forwarding and clearance services, Nexus Zone Logistics. It was identified that this company currently has many extra costs to be paid including local and detention charges, which negatively impacts the flow of income and reduces overall stability. Two variables have been identified as factors of extra charges; loaded containers entering the port by exceeded closing time and late delivery of empty containers to the container yard. This study is a qualitative in nature and the secondary data collected was analyzed using self-administered observation. The findings of this study were covered by one selected case for each export and import shipment between July and December 2014. The data were analyzed using frequency analysis based on tables and graphs. The researcher recommends Nexus Zone Logistics impose a 1% deposit payment per container for each shipment (export and import) to its customers.
Keywords: international shipping, export and import, detention charges, container shipment
228 Sustainability Education among the Malaysian Media
Authors: Mohamad Saifudin Mohamad Saleh
This paper provides a discussion of the importance of sustainability education among the Malaysian media. Without doubt, media play a crucial role in promoting the sustainable or so called "eco-system" society for a better future. Since 2002, the role of media as one of the vital stakeholders particularly in educating the society in three main areas of sustainable education including on environment, economy and society has been clearly highlights on the World Summit for Sustainable Development (WSSD) that was held in Johannesburg. In this paper, six media practitioners from two local Malaysia newspapers organization were interviewed by the researcher in order to identify their understanding about sustainability education; their perception about the pivotal role in sustainability education and the challenges faced by them in the process of educating society about sustainability issues. The findings of this study showed that most of Malaysian media practitioners have displayed clear understanding about sustainability education and they also realize their huge responsibility for not only informing but also educating society in having a sustainable lifestyle. The ultimate challenge in sustainability education faced by the media is to make the public really understand the importance of sustainable lifestyle. Overall, from this study, it is hoped to provide more possible direction in sustainability education not only among the Malaysian media but also all media in the entire world, particularly the developing and Southeast Asian countries.
Keywords: media, sustainability education, Malaysia
227 Wireless Sensor Network Energy Efficient and QoS-Aware MAC Protocols: A Survey
Authors: Bashir Abdu Muzakkari, Mohamad Afendee Mohamad, Mohd Fadzil Abdul Kadir
Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) is an aggregation of several tiny, low-cost sensor nodes, spatially distributed to monitor physical or environmental status. WSN is constantly changing because of the rapid technological advancements in sensor elements such as radio, battery and operating systems. The Medium Access Control (MAC) protocols remain very vital in the WSN because of its role in coordinating communication amongst the sensors. Other than battery consumption, packet collision, network lifetime and latency are factors that largely depend on WSN MAC protocol and these factors have been widely treated in recent days. In this paper, we survey some latest proposed WSN Contention-based, Scheduling-based and Hybrid MAC protocols while presenting an examination, correlation of advantages and limitations of each protocol. Concentration is directed towards investigating the treatment of Quality of Service (QoS) performance metrics within these particular protocols. The result shows that majority of the protocols leaned towards energy conservation. We, therefore, believe that other performance metrics of guaranteed QoS such as latency, throughput, packet loss, network and bandwidth availability may play a critical role in the design of future MAC protocols for WSNs.
Keywords: WSN, QoS, energy consumption, MAC protocol
226 A Preliminary Investigation on Factors that Influence Malaysian Road User's Close Following Behaviour
Authors: Siti Hikmah Musthar, Ahmad Saifizul, Mohamed Rehan Karim, Jamilah Mohamad, Farah Fazlinda Mohamad
This paper aims to look at the situation of close following behaviour from the introductory phase before conducting a profound investigation and discussion on this subject. Close following behaviour is known as behaviour during when drivers follow front vehicle with headways lower than two-second. As such, the study of close-following is important due to the degree of negative consequences this behaviour can cause commonly identified as rear-end collision especially when road safety is concerned. This paper presents a preliminary results of close-following behaviour among selected respondents (n=515) in Peninsular Malaysia at selected highways and federal roads. Respondents were interviewed with survey questions tending to examine their actual driving behaviour related to close-following and their perception towards the subject of close following. Selected findings (four selected questions) are discussed in this paper of which identified as essential for deliberation (as opposed to other questions in the survey questionnaire) as far as a preliminary discussion is concerned. Through the statistical test of one-way ANOVA, study found that gender of drivers is not significant to influence drivers to close follow but instead, type of vehicle the respondent drives had more significant to influence drivers to have tendency to perform close following behaviour.
Keywords: close-following, driver behaviour, rear-end crash, road safety
225 National Identity in Connecting the Community through Mural Art for Petronas Dagangan Berhad
Authors: Nadiah Mohamad, Wan Samiati Andriana Wan Mohd Daud, M. Suhaimi Tohid, Mohd Fazli Othman, Mohamad Rizal Salleh
This is a collaborative project of the mural art between The Department of Fine Art from Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) and Petronas Dagangan Berhad (PDB), the most leading retailer and marketer of downstream oil and gas products in Malaysia. Five different states in the Peninsular of Malaysia that has been identified in showcasing the National Identity of Malaysia at each Petronas gas station, this also includes the Air Keroh in Melaka, Pasir Pekan in Kelantan, Pontian in Johor, Simpang Pulai in Perak, and also Wakaf Bharu in Terengganu. This project is to analyze the element of national identity that has been demonstrated at the Petronas's Mural. The ultimate aim of the mural is to let the community and local people to be aware about what Malaysians are consists and proud of and how everyone is able to connect with the idea through visual art. The method that is being explained in this research is by using visual data through research and also self-experience in collecting the visual data in identifying what images is considered as the national identity and idea development and visual analysis is being transferred based upon the visual data collection. In this stage, elements and principles of design will be the key in highlighting what is necessary for a work of art. In conclusion, visual image of the National Identity of Malaysia is able to connect to the audience from local and also to the people from outside the country to learn and understand the beauty and diversity of Malaysia as a unique country with art through the wall of five Petronas gas station.
Keywords: community, fine art, mural art, national identity
224 Noise Measurement and Awareness at Construction Site: A Case Study
Authors: Feiruz Ab'lah, Zarini Ismail, Mohamad Zaki Hassan, Siti Nadia Mohd Bakhori, Mohamad Azlan Suhot, Mohd Yusof Md. Daud, Shamsul Sarip
The construction industry is one of the major sectors in Malaysia. Apart from providing facilities, services, and goods it also offers employment opportunities to local and foreign workers. In fact, the construction workers are exposed to a hazardous level of noises that generated from various sources including excavators, bulldozers, concrete mixer, and piling machines. Previous studies indicated that the piling and concrete work was recorded as the main source that contributed to the highest level of noise among the others. Therefore, the aim of this study is to obtain the noise exposure during piling process and to determine the awareness of workers against noise pollution at the construction site. Initially, the reading of noise was obtained at construction site by using a digital sound level meter (SLM), and noise exposure to the workers was mapped. Readings were taken from four different distances; 5, 10, 15 and 20 meters from the piling machine. Furthermore, a set of questionnaire was also distributed to assess the knowledge regarding noise pollution at the construction site. The result showed that the mean noise level at 5m distance was more than 90 dB which exceeded the recommended level. Although the level of awareness regarding the effect of noise pollution is satisfactory, majority of workers (90%) still did not wear ear protecting device during work period. Therefore, the safety module guidelines related to noise pollution controls should be implemented to provide a safe working environment and prevent initial occupational hearing loss.
Keywords: construction, noise awareness, noise pollution, piling machine
223 Islamic Credit Risk Management in Murabahah Financing: The Study of Islamic Banking in Malaysia
Authors: Siti Nor Amira Bt. Mohamad, Mohamad Yazis B. Ali Basah, Muhammad Ridhwan B. Ab. Aziz, Khairil Faizal B. Khairi, Mazlynda Bt. Md. Yusuf, Hisham B. Sabri
The understanding of risk and the concept of it occurs associated in Islamic financing was well-known in the financial industry by the using of Profit-and-Loss Sharing (PLS). It was presently in any Islamic financial transactions in order to comply with shariah rules. However, the existence of risk in Murabahah contract of financing is an ability that the counterparty is unable to complete its obligations within the agreed terms. Therefore, it is called as credit or default risk. Credit risk occurs when the client fails to make timely payment after the bank makes complete delivery of assets. Thus, it affects the growth of the bank as the banking business is in no position to have appropriate measures to cover the risk. Therefore, the bank may impose penalty on the outstanding balance. This paper aims to highlight the credit risk determinant and issues surrounding in Islamic bank in Malaysia in terms of Murabahah financing and how to manage it by using the proper techniques. Finally, it explores the credit risk management concept that might solve the problems arise. The study found that the credit risk can be managed properly by improving the use of comprehensive reference checklist of business partners on their character and past performance as well as their comprehensive database. Besides that, prevention of credit risk can be done by using collateral as security against the risk and we also argue on the Shariah guidelines and procedures should be implement coherently by the banking business because so that the risk would be control by having an effective instrument for Islamic modes of financing.
Keywords: Islamic banking, credit risk, Murabahah financing, risk mitigation
222 Developing a Group Guidance Framework: A Review of Literature
Authors: Abdul Rawuf Hussein, Rusnani Abdul Kadir, Mona Adlina Binti Adanan
Guidance program has been an essential approach in helping professions from many institutions of learning as well as communities, organizations, and clinical settings. Although the term varies depending on the approaches, objectives, and theories, the core and central element is typically developmental in nature. In this conceptual paper, the researcher will review literature on the concept of group guidance, its impact on students' and individual's development, developing a guidance module and proposing a synthesised framework for group guidance program.
Keywords: concept, framework, group guidance, module development
221 The Effect of Role Conflict, Role Ambiguity and Job Satisfaction on Auditor Performance
Authors: Binti Shofiatul Jannah, Hans Wakhida Rakhmatullah
This paper aims to examine the influence of role conflict, role ambiguity and job satisfaction on auditor performance. This study uses survey method using a questionnaire to collect the data. The questionnaires distributes were 104 respondents. The respondents are auditors who work for public accounting firms in East Java. Partial Least Square (PLS) with program SmartPLS version 2.0 were used to hypothesis testing. The result shows that: (1) there is no negative influence of role conflict on auditor performance; (2) there is negative influence of role ambiguity on auditor performance; (3) there is positive influence of job satisfaction on auditor performance.
Keywords: role conflict, role ambiguity, job satisfaction, performance
220 An Engineering Review of Grouting in Soil Improvement Applications
Authors: Mohamad Kazem Zamani, Meldi Suhatril
Soil improvement is one of the main concerns of each civil engineer who is working at soil mechanics and geotechnics. Grouting has been used as a powerful treatment for soil improving. In this paper, we have tried to review the grouting application base on grouts which is used and also we have tried to give a general view of grout applications and where and when can be used.
Keywords: cementious grouting, chemical grouting, soil improvement, civil engineering
219 Effect of Span 60, Labrasol, and Cholesterol on Labisia pumila Loaded Niosomes Quality
Authors: H. Binti Ya'akob, C. Siew Chin, A. Abd Aziz, I. Ware, M. Fauzi Abd Jalil, N. Rashidah Ahmed, R. Sabtu
Labisia pumila (LP) plant extract has the potential to be applied in cosmeceutical products due to its anti-photoaging properties. The main purpose of this study was to improve transdermal delivery of LP by encapsulating LP in niosomes. Niosomes loaded LPs were prepared by coacervation phase separation method using non-ionic surfactant (Span 60), labrasol, and cholesterol. The optimum formula obtained were Span 60, labrasol and cholesterol at the mole ratio of 6:1:4. At the optimum formulation, the niosome obtained significantly improved the quality of transdermal penetration of LP compared to free LP.
Keywords: Labisia pumila, niosomes, transdermal, quality
218 Current Issues on Enterprise Architecture Implementation Evaluation
Authors: Fatemeh Nikpay, Rodina Binti Ahmad, Babak Darvish Rouhani
Enterprise Architecture (EA) is employed by enterprises for providing integrated Information Systems (ISs) in order to support alignment of their business and Information Technology (IT). Evaluation of EA implementation can support enterprise to reach intended goals. There are some problems in current evaluation methods of EA implementation that lead to ineffectiveness implementation of EA. This paper represents current issues on evaluation of EA implementation. In this regard, we set the framework in order to represent evaluation's issues based on their functionality and structure. The results of this research not only increase the knowledge of evaluation, but also could be useful for both academics and practitioners in order to realize the current situation of evaluations.
Keywords: current issues on EA implementation evaluation, evaluation, enterprise architecture, evaluation of enterprise architecture implementation
217 A Unified Approach to Support the Coordination of Usability Work in Agile Software Development
Authors: Fouad Abdulameer Salman, Aziz Bin Deraman, Masita Binti Abdul Jalil
Usability evaluation is essential for developing usable software systems, yet its integration within agile software development remains a challenging interdisciplinary endeavour. In this paper, the authors present a study to investigate obstacles of such integration from the management perspective. The study incorporates two methods, namely an online questionnaire survey and a series of interviews with participants that answered the questionnaire. Based on the obtained results, a unified approach is proposed for enabling coordinate the efforts of agile developers and usability engineers to produce usable software systems.
Keywords: usability, usability evaluation, software development process, usability management
216 Diarrheal Management Practices in Children Under Five Years and Its Associated Factors Attending Health Clinic in Kalimantan Timur Indonesia
Authors: Tri Murti, Muhammad Hanafiah Juni, Hejar Abdul Rahman, Salmiah Binti Said
The diarrhoeal disease continues to be a leading cause of childhood mortality in countries such as Indonesia, where it is estimated to be responsible for 300,000 deaths annually in children under the age of years. Morbidity survey the Ministry of Health of Indonesia from 2000 to 2010 showed incidence diarrhoea remains a leading cause of infant mortality. Causes of death from diarrhoea is related to poor governance both at home and in health facilities. Despite the improvement of health facilities and government effort to reduce the occurrence of diarrhoea among children and death from diarrhoea, the incidence of diarrhoea among children area still high.
Keywords: management diarrheal disease, practices mother, treatment, diarrhoea among children
215 Microwave Assisted Extraction (MAE) of Castor Oil from Castor Bean
Authors: Ghazi Faisal Najmuldeen, Rosli Mohd Yunus, Nurfarahin Bt Harun, Mardhiana Binti Ismail
The microwave extraction has attracted great interest among the researchers. The main virtue of the microwave technique is cost-effective, time saving and simple handling procedure. Castor beans was chosen because of its high content in fatty acid, especially ricinoleic acid. The purpose of this research is to extract the castor oil by using the microwave assisted extraction (MAE) using ethanol as solvent and to investigate the influence of extraction time on castor oil yield and to characterize the main composition of the produced castor oil by using the GC-MS. It was found that there is a direct dependence between the oil yield and the time of extraction as it increases from 45% to 58% as the time increase from 10 min to 60 min. The major components of castor oil detected by GC-MS were ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid and oleic acid.
Keywords: microwave assisted extraction (MAE), castor oil, ricinoleic acid, linoleic acid
214 Preparation and Characterization of Photocatalyst for the Conversion of Carbon Dioxide to Methanol
Authors: D. M. Reddy Prasad, Nur Sabrina Binti Rahmat, Huei Ruey Ong, Chin Kui Cheng, Maksudur Rahman Khan, D. Sathiyamoorthy
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emission to the environment is inevitable which is responsible for global warming. Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to fuel, such as methanol, methane etc. is a promising way to reduce greenhouse gas CO2 emission. In the present work, Bi2S3/CdS was synthesized as an effective visible light responsive photocatalyst for CO2 reduction into methanol. The Bi2S3/CdS photocatalyst was prepared by hydrothermal reaction. The catalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) instrument. The photocatalytic activity of the catalyst has been investigated for methanol production as a function of time. Gas chromatograph flame ionization detector (GC-FID) was employed to analyze the product. The yield of methanol was found to increase with higher CdS concentration in Bi2S3/CdS and the maximum yield was obtained for 45 wt% of Bi2S3/CdS under visible light irradiation was 20 μmole/g. The result establishes that Bi2S3/CdS is favorable catalyst to reduce CO2 to methanol.
Keywords: photocatalyst, CO2 reduction, methanol, visible light, XRD, GC-FID


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The Norwegian King addresses LGBT rights in speech
by Mr Gay Europe Team | 12 September, 2016 | Old
"Norwegians are girls that loves girls, and boys that loves boys, and boys and girls that love each other…"
The Norwegian king, Harald V, aged 79, gave a speech to his 1500 guests at his garden party Thursday 1st of September 2016 and King's message was load and clear; we have to take more care of each other, no matter skin colour, cultural background or sexual orientation.
The speach got a lot of international attention and the British newspaper The Guardian wrote: King Harald shook up the royal garden party with a speech in support of refugees and gay rights which has since gone viral.
A 79-year-old monarch is perhaps not the most likely person to deliver a rousing speech in support of refugees, religious tolerance, diversity and LGBT rights, and a royal garden party may not be the most likely place to hear it.
But an impassioned five-minute address on the need for inclusiveness and acceptance by Norway's King Harald last week to 1,500 slightly startled – but ultimately delighted – guests in the park of the Royal Palace in Oslo has gone viral.
Read the whole story in The Guardian

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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The Story of the Dictionary: Or, why it's good to do inventory.
Due to a new cataloging system, I had to do a complete inventory of my library. There are 200 books marked "lost", so I'll have to spend some time tracking them down. Many are here but weren't scanned. Many have been deaccessioned and not recorded. (That 1957 book entitled Techniques in Tumbling? Not here.)
I swear I have never seen Robert Kraske's The Story of the Dictionary (1975). The last time it was checked out was 1982. Still, something about the wonderfully dated cover made me want to take it home and read it, and I was very glad I did. Although dated (I'm thinking that makers of dictionaries no longer keep citation files on index cards, and I wouldn't know where to find the Reader's Guide to Periodical Literature anymore, although it was a huge part of my middle school library education.), it is filled with lots of interesting facts about words and language. Did you know that "contact" is used improperly as a verb? That the first dictionary for children was published in 1935? That Noah Webster tried to standardize what he perceived as irregular spelling in his dictionary, but people wouldn't stand for it? I imagine that there are very few copies of this to be found anywhere, but I'm keeping it. I also wish I had a copy of this author's Silent Sentinels: The Story of Locks, Vaults and Burglar Alarms and Crystals of Life: The Story of Salt. This book will be my first recommendation of the school year!
However, I'm not as wild about the 1962 copy of A Book of Giants that I found in the folktale section. Again, don't remember ever seeing it. I know it's impossible to have memorized 13,000 books, but you'd think everything would look slightly familiar!
While doing inventory, I found Sean Piccoli's 1997 biography of the Grateful Dead, which had never been checked out. Since I knew nothing about that band, it was interesting reading, but the book is out of print. Also never checked out but tremendously informative was Beverly Gherman's 2000 Norman Rockwell: Storyteller with a Brush. Quick and well-illustrated, it would make a great basis for a biography report. I'll have to push it next year.
Picky Reader is a huge fan of Jacqueline Wilson, so whenever we find a book of hers we'll pick it up. How a British edition of Diamond Girls came to be at Half Price Books I'll never know, but I'm glad it was. Sad, sad, sad in the way that Wilson's books (like Cathy Cassidy's) tend to be, it was the story of a single mother of four girls, all of whom had different fathers. When the mother gets an opportunity to move from a council flat to a council house, she takes it, since she is due to have her fifth child, a boy, very soon. Moving into the decrepit house is a comedy of errors, and the family is helped greatly by Bruce, a friend of the youngest's father. There is a subplot of a neighbor girl in a privately owned house with a "perfect" mother (who is actually mentally unstable and abusive) that is a bit over the top, but the book is a riveting read. Great for girls who can't get enough problem novels, if you can locate a copy.
More Harrison; Colman
While Lisi Harrison's It's Not Easy Being Mean was easy to read, it wasn't very good. Claire has unrealistically become a sought after Hollywood starlet, and Massie is given a chance to find a key to a "secret" room at OCD where she and her friends will be able to hang out. I'm getting tired of these because they are mean and take odd liberties with reality. Picky Reader likes them.
Also picked up Hila Colman's 1977 Sometimes I Don't Love My Mother, which was not too bad, although the mother is portrayed in a way that I can't see an author using today. Basically, Dallas' father dies, her mother doesn't cope well and wants to hang out with Dallas and her 17 year old friends when she is not busy getting drunk and being dysfunctional. Dallas thinks it might be a good idea to marry her boyfriend in a year so she doesn't have to deal with her mother. I can see girls who like problem novels enjoying this one, and aside from a couple of pantsuits that sneak in, and a lengthy description of getting ears pierced (a big deal at this time-- that's exactly the year I got my ears pierced!), it's not that dated. I do love the rebound cover-- it's dark peach with turquoise and green designs. It will last forever, unlike the new books which fall apart when students look at them!
The September Sisters
We will not hold it against Jillian Kantor that she has an MFA, because The September Sisters was a good, if vaguely harrowing, read. Abby has never been overly fond of her younger sister, Becky, but she is devastated when her sister disappears. The effect on her family goes on for years-- her father becomes more brusque and detached, her mother finds comfort in unacceptable places, and Abby struggles through every day with a gnawing sense of absence. She is helped somewhat by her neighbor and her neighbor's grandson, Thomas, but not knowing what happened to her sister makes finally finding out a relief. This is a fairly long book, but it reads quickly, and yes, the prose is "lyrical". This works for this book, which will appeal to girls who want a sad read and aren't so much interested that "nothing happens". Will probably buy this one.
Also finished off Gregor and the Code of Claw. The appeal to students who want blood-and-gore fighting is indisputable-- Gregor has so many scars on him by the end of this that someone back in the Overland is sure to call Children's Services! In a final battle against the Bane and his forces, Gregor's sisters are both drawn in, trying to break the code. Gregor is more worried that usual-- one of the prophecies indicates that the warrior will die; isn't he the warrior? The romance with Luxa is a bit overplayed, and the ending is somehow very sad. Gregor hasn't had a good time in the Underland, but he's made a lot of good friends, and when the family moves to Virginia, he won't be able to go back. Sigh. Did like these much more than I thought I would, and will heartily recommend them to both fantasy and action fans.
Encyclopedia Brown and the Case of Pablo's Nose (#20)
After Carolyn Haywood's B is for Betsy books, the first books I remember reading are Encyclopedia Brown. My mother and I would sit in a rocking chair, take turns reading, and try to solve the mysteries. Of course, when I was reading these, there were only a handful published, and the illustrations were beautifully 1960s. Encyclopedia had a tendency to wear striped shirts. These are still popular with my students, which is why I was able to send a circulation card to Mr. Sobol. Imagine my excitement when I got a letter back from him, as well as a copy of book #20! What a nice man.
I was surprised that the mysteries were rather difficult to solve. It was necessary to read the stories very carefully and hang on to every clue. This is something students don't frequently need to do, so these are great books for them to read. They are not generally too long, and the reading level is low, but this does not mean that the mysteries are challenging. Definitely worth it to keep some of these in a middle school library!
In other news, there is a brand new blog that you might want to check out-- Picky Reader. After reading all the posts I made about her reading, my youngest daughter has decided to blog on her own. We'll see how she does!
A Princess, a queen
Meg Cabot's tenth and FINAL Princess Diaries book is Forever Princess. Mia's world is in turmoil because her father has to run for Prime Minister of Genovia against a cousin who is promising the country more tourism and Applebee's. She is still on the outs with her former friend, Lilly, and not overly fond of her new friend Lana. Her grandmother is driving her crazy with plans for her 18th birthday party. She's trying to get her senior project, a really bad romance novel (which is excerpted) published. She's gotten in to all the colleges to which she supplied, but fears that this was because she is a princess, not because of any scholastic merit. She's still compulsively keeping a diary (really? She writes in restroom stalls? And this is healthy?) and stressing over her relationship with her boyfriend J.P., especially when former love Michael reappears on the scene. All more of the same, but girls who have followed this series will be glad to see what happens. Cabot can be such a clever writer; I'm glad she is done with this series so she can move on. Richard Lewis' The Demon Queen is okay, but for such a scary cover, gets off to a slow, slow start. Jesse is now in foster care in the midwest, after being declared somewhat illegal by Homeland Security-- he was apparently found on a boat as an infant, and his ethnic background is in question. He meets Honor, whose father has been killed in Bali, and gets drawn into her weird world of worshipping Rangda, the demon queen. It's neat that something other than celtic mythology is presented, but there is so much about Jesse's existence in the midwest that I didn't care much for the book. I much prefer Lewis' other book, The Killing Sea, about the aftermath of a tsunami.
A little of everything.
Choyce, Lesley. Skate Freak. Quinn's life is hard enough-- his mother is off learning a trade because his father has lost his job, school is unpleasant, and now that he and his father have moved away from their hometown, he doesn't even like where he has to skate. He does make a friend, and tries to better his circumstances, and things improve marginally. This is from Orca, which specializes in high interest, low level fiction. This is the kind of book I was looking for when I said I wanted books about skateboarders. I just wish it were longer.
There is probably another Niki Burnham book in this series, after Royally Jacked and Spin Control. Valerie's father works for the president of the US, in charge of protocol-- that is, until Valerie's mother comes out as gay and moves in with her girlfriend. Since the president is very conservative, the father takes a job with the king of Swerinborg, and he and Valerie move into the palace. Valerie goes to an American school, where the girls are somewhat snotty to her, especially since she has captured the attention of Prince Georg, who is her age. These are fun, princess fantasies-- who doesn't want to live in a castle and have a handsome prince attracted to her? Light, romantic romps like all of the Simon Pulse comedies.
Ann Dee Ellis' Everything is Fine is depressing. Mazzy's mother won't get out of bed even to wash herself, for reasons that are slowly revealed through the story. Mazzy's father is too busy with his sportscasting career to stay and take care of the two. Neighbors and social workers try to help, but Mazzy is very dysfunctional as well. At first I was intrigued, and even the sort-of-poetry-but-not-really format didn't bother me too much (much of the book is done in dialogue, giving the lines a poetry look, but there are no other poetic elements), but Mazzy just got annoying. I think I will pass on this one.
Catherine Jink's The Reformed Vampire Support Group is one that will not be immediately appealing the fans of Twilight, but was interesting all the same. Horrible, horrible cover however. Nina has been a vampire since 1973, and as a result can't go out during the day, feels nauseated all the time, and has to feed on guinea pigs. She has a support group, headed by a priest, that helps her survive. When one of the members is killed, the group rallies and goes on a rather misguided adventure to find the killer. They end up in the country (the book is set in Australia) where they find a man who has werewolf fights. They try to free the werewolf, and so get chased by this unsavory character. This is a complicated plot, but it all works together. If they can get past the fact that Nina's a girl, fans of Cirque du Freak might like this one. All of the other active members of the support group are male. Like many of the new vampire books, there are some interesting twists on all things vampire.
Series Catch Up
The third Melissa De La Cruz Blue Bloods book, Revelations, was not a disappointment-- there's still danger, intrigue, and surprises with the upper crust vampire world of New York City. I did get slightly weary of Schuyler's infatuation with Jack, despite the fact that if he left his "vampire twin" for her, he would suffer the same fate as Schuyler's mother, but other than that, it was a good read. I am looking forward to The Van Alen Legacy, which should be coming out very soon.
The fifth Joseph Delaney Last Apprentice book, however, was awesome! I don't know why I like these so much, but I really do. While I am not usually big on the quasi-medieval setting, there is something about the Spook, Tom Ward, and Alice that keeps me reading. In The Wrath of the Bloodeye, the Spook is so concerned that the Fiend is going to attack Tom that he sends him off to Bill Awkwright to be trained. Bill has some problems, notably with drink and rage, but teaches Tom about evil water creatures and gets him in shape with more rigorous physical training. When Bill is attacked by the Bloodeye, aka Morwena, the daughter of the Fiend, Tom must save him and do away with the evil creature. Alice comes to his aid, but uses black magic to do it, and Grimalkin the Assassin is instrumental in helping Tom and saving everyone. The instances of evil creatures being good and good creatures being tempted by evil is something that I really enjoy in these, and there is more yet to come in the next book. Tom's mother should reappear, and we learn things about Alice that will make things even more interesting in the next installment (which also should be out soon).
More Suzanne Collins
Enjoyed the third and fourth book so much that I am half tempted to go in to work to retrieve the final book in the series. Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods was very good. Gregor is called to the Underland for a "meeting" about a plague that is hitting all the humans, rats, and bats, but of course gets involved in the quest for the cure. It was especially interesting that his mother came along. Of course, she gets the plague and is not allowed on the adventure. Gregor learns some more about the dynamics of the royal family, and more about how evil some creatures should be.
Gregor and the Marks of Secret was a bit unusual-- by this time, Gregor's mother is staying in the Underland while she recovers from the plague, and he and Boots come to visit her. While there, they realize that "nibblers" are dying, and the Bane, whom Gregor did not kill in book 2, has grown and is trying to rally support among the rats in order to take over from the humans. I'm really curious to see how things turn out now.
One literary device that Collins uses to excellent advantage is ending many of the chapters with cliffhangers. "He did not need Howard's answer to know this was his first earthquake." "At least a hundred mice lay twisted and motionless at the bottom of the tunnel." "Waiting on the floor with their tails poised in the air were a pair of giant scorpions." This really helped me when my concentration was flagging, and this will also be helful for students who try to read a chapter a day, since they have something to look forward to when the next pick up the book.
Guess I'll have to content myself with the fifth Last Apprentice book, the second Ranger's Apprentice book, or the third Blue Bloods book, since there's no other reason to go to work (the new Destiny circulation system rolls out next Wednesday) aside from getting the last book!
Gregor and the Prophecy of the Bane
Suzanne Collins has gotten a lot of buzz for her The Hunger Games, but her Gregor series is one that I finally bought after multiple student requests. I wasn't looking forward to a multivolume fantasy series, but the first one wasn't too painful, and since I need to make sure I have actually read every book in the library, the other ones were on my list to read. Happy to report that I am taking the 3rd and 4th home today with an air of anticipation.
Gregor's father has returned from the Underland but is still sickly. Family finances remain difficult. As a treat, Gregor takes his small sister boots to Central Park for sledding-- and she is kidnapped by gnawers because of the prophecy. The problem with prophecies? You may think you know what they mean, but they are open to interpretation. In this action packed sequel, Gregor heads out to kill the Bane, accompanied by a host of talented companions. He gets attacked by giant poisonous squid, has to save his sister multiple times, and finds that he has an alarming talent for killing. While students will love the running about and fighting, what kept me reading was Character Development. Gregor is a nice kid who tries hard, and it was interesting to see how he handled himself in the various situations. As I said, I'm looking forward to the rest of the books, which is a change from fantasy series like, oh, Brian Jacques, that make me what to stop reading anything.
Anthony McGowan's Jack Tumor sounded interestingly bizarre, but didn't work for me. Hector has a brain tumor that talks to him and gets him into trouble. Unfortunately, the tumor is British and has been too influenced by the Page 3 culture of that country, making this book more appropriate for older students, not that younger ones will be unhappy sniggering up their sleeves.
This nonfiction title by Dilara Hafiz was rather interesting. Short, easy to read, but very informative, it covered a wide range of topics geared toward varying levels of religious adherence. While it would probably be helpful to Muslim students who have questions about how to practice their faith in a culture not quite geared to it, this is also helpful to aid non-Muslims in understanding some of the practices and history. It draws a lot of parallels between Judaism, Christianity and Islam, and is very similar to books of instruction for Christian teens.
Harry Potter Giveaway!
Harry Potter and
the Deathly Hallows
PAPERBACK PRIZE
PACK GIVEAWAY
Because Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is being released in paperbacks, Scholastic is giving away sets of books 5, 6 and 7 in paperbacks! From today until midnight on JULY 5th, you can e mail me (msyingling@yahoo.com) and enter to win! You will need to include the following:
1. E Mail me (MsYingling@yahoo.com) a very short message about what YOU think happens to Harry when he grows up. Rowling had one idea, but you may have your own!
2. Deadline is 3:00 p.m. on Friday, June 5th. Winners will be chosen by a very small student group based primarily on effort.
3. Be prepared to give me your actual mailing address if you win. Kids, check with a parental unit to make sure this is okay. I will need to give your address to Scholastic.
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows is a breathtaking finish to a remarkable series. The final chapter to Harry Potter's adventures will be releases in paperback July 7th! It all comes down to this - a final face off between good and evil.
http://www.scholastic.com/harrypotter/
Brand-new Emily
Ginger Rue's first books is much deeper than it looks. Emily is picked on at her new school because of unfortunate experiences in her first few days there. When she gets a chance to meet a teen heartthrob at a movie shoot new her town and learns information about him, she uses this to secure the services of his PR manager. There is a lot of information about public relations and how celebrities and products are advertised and hyped, but the story is so breezy and fun that students won't realize how much they are learning. The cover will date itself very quickly, although the contents won't, since the fads and celebrities mentioned are predominantly pretend. There are a lot of subplots going on-- Emily's mother has passed away, her uncle and father are struggling to care for her, school life evolves around her. Very enjoyable, a bit unrealistic, but a good companion to Laurie Gwen Shapiro's Brand X: The Boyfriend Account.
And thanks to Finn, who commented (about library redecoration) that smiley faces and owls (which is not a serious consideration; I'm just torturing my principal) may not be boy friendly decoration. Hmmm. The smiley faces are already there, and I thought of them as gender neutral, but Finn has a point. I'm working on a collection of bulldogs (our school's mascot), but that's an expensive proposition, and are stuffed bulldogs any less cute?
Peace, Love and Baby Ducks
There are some authors of whom I am not overly fond, but I do keep reading their work, just in case. Lauren Myracle is one of them. I did like this book more than her others.
Carly, who lives a privileged life in an Atlanta suburb, has spent the summer volunteering at a work camp. When she arrives home, she chafes at the cushy life she leads, and is surprised that her younger sister has blossomed and become attractive to boys, which leads to some trouble. Carly tries hard to embrace an alternative lifestyle (tie dyed t shirts instead of pink designer wear), but doesn't seem to move much beyond surface effects. This made me dislike Carly-- she embraces sixties music, but doesn't seem to internalize the message of it, because it would be inconvenient. This is really for high schoolers due to some of the content.
This reminded me of Rachel Vail's Lucky, which also didn't quite deliver the message it intended to deliver.
Also looked at Stephanie Tolan's Wishworks, which was much too young for middle school.
The Potato Chip Puzzle by Eric Berlin
This is the sequel to The Puzzling World of Winston Breen, and although it didn't seem to make a huge difference starting the series in medias res, that might be part of why it didn't thrill me. Winston's school has the opportunity to win $50,000 if they can solve a series of puzzles, but someone is trying to stop them. A note at the beginning does state that the book can be read without the puzzles, but they are such an integral part of the book that they are hard to ignore. The writing is clever and amusing, and while I was willing to overlook unrealistic elements pertaining to school, I don't have readers who crave puzzles. If you do, this series is certainly worth looking into.
Atherton Winner! (and other news)
My student helpers weren't very scientific, but they read all 22 e mails and came up with a winner! Congratulations, Koko B. Ware! My judges agreed that you went above and beyond in your answer and deserve the series of Patrick Carman books. Happy Reading!
"My name is Koko B. Ware. The Hunger Games is my favorite series, though not quite a series yet. The book really captured my imagination and inspired me to really pick up on my reading, because the way a good book is written, it can really capture the brain and take it to a place far, far away. I really loved how the main character, Katniss, is very relatable, even though I'm a guy! She shows that she can love but be tough, and fight but be friendly. Kind of like every other teenager in America. The whole idea of a " Hunger Game " really struck me as an awesome yet horrible idea, so far-fetched that I really ate up the concept. After all I read the whole book in like four hours. I am really looking forward to the sequel, Catching Fire, and I plan on reading my school library's Advanced Reader edition."
Also, the winners of Mother Reader's 48 Hour Challenge were four people who did not sleep for 48 hours. Wow! Very impressive. I like sleep more than reading.
Picked up Dene Low's The Entomological Tales of Augustus T. Percival : Petronella Saves Nearly Everyone at the library because the cover looked cool. I love period novels, and this looked fun. However, I had not seen the first part of this title, and the bugs were a really big part of this. (From publisher: Petronella, who is about to celebrate her sixteenth birthday, finds out that her guardian, Uncle Augustus T. Percival, has a compulsion to eat bugs; but during the celebration, the birthday girl notices that guests are disappearing and that insects are turning up as clues. ) I am at an utter loss as to which students would read this. Instead of finishing, I took a television break for a BBC fix.
When I emerged from Reading Trance yesterday, I felt woozy. That's when I realized that I was WAY overcaffeinated and underfed. Therefore, all statistics are to the best of my knowledge.
Finished up Tormod: A Templar's Apprentice (282) by Kat Black(which I liked), Kelsey's A Recipe for Robbery(282)(which was goofy and had way too many descriptions of a yucky cucumber stew), and started on Cooney's Camp Boy Meets Girl, so we'll call it even at
34 1/2 hours, 30 books, and 7,850 pages.
Phew.
Thanks again to MotherReader for hosting this opportunity to "goof off" and do what I love to do best!
Since I've felt behind in my reading because of all the library renovations, I've really pulled out all the stops on this challenge. Household chores? Neglected. Personal hygiene? Ha. And yes, I read really quickly. It's my JOB. Isn't that the best thing in the world? Plus, I've had 40 years of practice.
5-6 a.m.: Potter. Slob. Finally wrested this from Miss Reluctant Reader. Since Ms. Potter sent us a copy personally, I wanted to like it, but the description had me worried. Fat kid whose parents have died is being bullied at school AND is trying to reconfigure a radio so he can see the surveillance camera video from the night his parents were killed. Quirky, and you know how I hate that. But I did like the book. Yes, the characters were quirky, but I liked them. Owen's sister wants to be called Jeremy and dress like a boy, but she's spirited about it. Owen is really trying to come to terms with his past and move beyond the bad things that have happened to him. It all worked. Definitely buying a copy. (196)
6-7: DeLint. Dingo. Read The Blue Girl some time ago and didn't buy it; I'm guessing because of the language, since Dingo did have 1 and 1/2 f-bombs. (Had to love how he put "motherfu" on one line and continued the rest after two more sentences. Points for that, but really not necessary.) Still, I liked the book. Modern fantasy, with apprehensive characters dealing with odd happenings. Older male main character, a little romance, generally believable. Nice personal interaction, but not too introspective. Published by Firebird Books, which specializes in speculative fiction. Will have to take a look at other titles by this author. Oh, Miguel meets Australian Lainey and is sucked into her world, where her mythical father is trying to use her and her twin sister to break a spell that has him trapped. (206)
7-8:30: Triana. Riding the Universe. Chloe's life is complicated. She's adopted, and wants to find her birth parents, but she is also dealing with the death of a beloved uncle, who left her his motorcycle, her twin baby brothers, and the fact that she is failing chemistry. Gordon, her tutor, becomes romantically interested in her at the same time that she starts to feel that her long standing relationship with best friend Rock might be romantic as well. There's one f bomb, as well as a close call almost sex scene, so I'm debating whether to keep this or send it on to the high school. Fans of Sarah Dessen, who also writes richly complex romances, will like this one. (266)
8:30-10:00: Rollins. Jake Ransom and the Skull King's Shadow. Wow. Rollins did his homework on this one, not only with all the historical/mythological stuff, but with the way that middle schoolers like their adventures written. This read sort of like the movie The Librarian-- stuff isn't explained overly much because we're on to the next explosion, chase scene or attack of pygmy dinosaurs. Which is okay. Somehow, the fast pace made me not worry about the fact that two sentences were spent explaining why everyone was speaking the same language, and made me just want to hang on for the ride. Looking forward to sequel. (397)
10-11:00: Anderson. Faery Rebels: Spell Hunter. As opposed to this. I somehow just could not get into the fairies. They flew around a lot, argued with each other... eh. I don't know why this didn't appeal to me. Sort of like SpellSpam last night. Maybe I was just tired, but something about the writing just didn't draw me in. (327)
11-12:30: Alegria.Sofi Mendoza's Guide to Getting Lost in Mexico. I thought this would be the same way, since it had tiny, tiny print and seemed so long. Also, I didn't like Sofi at first. She whined too much after she gets caught at the U.S. with problematic paperwork after sneaking off to Mexico with friends for the weekend. She has to spend time with relatives while everything is sorted out, and she does grow up. Character development, certainly, but it was interesting to see into another culture, and that's what ended up being really fun. It helps that the Spanish phrases at the end are explained. This author also wrote Estrella's Quinceanera, which I also liked because it explained in great detail about the custom of elaborate 15th birthday celebrations in Hispanic culture. (276)
12:30- 1:30: Blogging. Then short break to restore order to house.
That leaves 2-6 to read Kelsey's A Recipe for Robbery and Black's Tormod: A Templar's Apprentice. Since I do have some family obligations this evening, I will probably post my final blog tomorrow morning.
Challenge continues
2-2:45: Mancusi. Gamer Girl. Really enjoy Mancusi's sense of humor in Boys that Bite, and this one was good as well. Maddy moves from Boston after her parents' divorce, and ends up in a very conservative area living with her grandmother. For her birthday, her father gets her the Fields of Fantasy online game, and she gets very involved with it, talking to a boy online who ends up going to her school. What are the odds, right? Still, even though I saw it coming, I enjoyed Maddy's struggles with fitting in to her new school while still being true to herself. The side story of her father's gaming addiction is interesting as well. This will be popular! (248)
2:46-3:30: Oaks. Why I Fight. Misleading cover-- the main character, if 12, does not look like the photo! This is a title for older students. Very depressing and artistic. Quotation marks are not used, just dashes, and the prose is very lyrical. Basically, Wyatt's mother is unable to care for him, so he ends up with an uncle who is not much better. I thought there would be more about fighting, and the boys might like that, but most of it is about how depressing the various dives where the two live are. I'll send this one to the high school. (228)
3:31-4:35: Quigley. TMI. Becca tells everyone Too Much Information, but her best friend Katie puts up with her. So does Jai, a fashion forward Hot New Boy who is so stereotypically gay that I was not at all surprised when he outed himself. Becca's boyfriend dumps her because she shares too much with these friends, and she copes with this by creating a blog that is so transparent that everyone knows she is sharing her own life, and this gets her in trouble. A little unbelievable, but fun. This will keep Marsha Qualey company on the shelves. I think this book could have been improved by a lot of editing. (302)
4:36-5:15: Simmons. Alien Feast. I have liked all of Michael Simmons diverse books; Pool Boy, Finding Lubchenko, and Vandal, all of which were intriguing and different, but this one was a bit too young and didn't do it for me. The illustrations did not add anything to this story of a futuristic dystopian where human eating aliens (didn't we just see this in Hungry, to much better effect?) have taken over the earth but now need help from humans because our diseases are devastating their ranks. William has been living with unpleasant step parents, so he doesn't care when they are eaten. He ends up with his friend Sophie, whose doctor parents have been conscripted by the aliens, seeking out his uncle Maynard, who is very quirky. Then they run around a lot, trying to figure out what is going on. Somehow didn't hit the right notes for me. (228)
5:16-6:15: Dee. Solving Zoe. Zoe doesn't fit in in her private school that caters to the ultratalented, but begins to enjoy herself when she gets the attention of a mathematically minded boy who creates puzzles for her to solve. I've had enough of private schools. I didn't like Zoe, her family, or her friends. Started having problems staying awake while reading! (230)
6:15-7:30: Hunter. Great Bear Lake. Saints preserve me. Talking animals. Be it noted that the students LOVE the Warriors series, so that's going to be fun to plow through this summer, but, as with Jacques, these are going to be hard for me to plow through. As far as I could make out, the bears are trying to get to the spirit dancing place, and are traveling across the land, looking for food, occasionally fighting, getting lost, looking for more food, and generally wandering in the wilderness. Found this so mind numbing that I could not extract a plot. (301)
7:31-8:30: Harrison. Dial L for Loser. Okay. These are mean, but they are very readable. There is something breezy and easy about the style, which might explain their appeal. While I didn't really believe that the girls would be allowed to have this much fun while expelled from school, nor did I believe they would end up in Hollywood with one of them in a movie, I was able to stay awake! (437)
And blogging. My intent is to finish off Spellspam and the next Clique book this evening, ending the day with about 23 hours, 22 books, and 5,591 pages. And no, I truthfully have done nothing else but walk the dog while reading my book! The children have been very helpful.
5:05-5:35 a.m.: Rinaldi. My Vicksburg. Claire Louise's family was going to ride out the seige of Vicksburg at her grandparent's in the country, but came back to live in a cave to be near the cat. The oldest boy, Landon, has joined the Union army as a doctor, and the father, also a doctor, is most displeased. The father goes off to help the Confederate army, and Landon ends up back at Vicksburg with an injured solider who is responsible for a lost message. Claire helps the soldier escape. There is an interesting subplot about Landon's fiance fighting for the Confederates as a man, but a lot about how Claire tried to win her father's approval that was sort of boring. My daughter's name is Claire Louisa! 150 pages. Probably will buy.
5:36-6:40: Magoon. The Rock and the River. Set in 1968 Chicago. Sam and Steve's father is working with Martin Luther King, Jr. in peaceful protests. As Steve sees the amount of injustice that blacks are experiencing, he decides to forego peaceful measures and joins the Black Panthers. Sam also starts to think this is the way to go after MLK is killed and Sam's father is also shot. This is an interesting description of the race relation problems during this time, and NOT told from the point of view of a white, middle class, Southern teenaged girl. It is a bit long and involved for middle school, so I'll have to think about it. 290 pages.
6:41-7:15: Chaltas. Because I Am Furniture. This is a heavy duty problem novel about abuse and incest, but very delicately done. It didn't even annoy me that it was done in "verse", which explains how the 352 pages went so quickly. Anke's father abuses her brother and sister, and while she is glad to escape this abuse, she also feels unloved because her siblings get some kind of attention. When she joins the volleyball team, she starts to chafe against her family life, and longs to tell someone. When her father attacks a friend, she finds the inner strength to confront her father and improve her family's life. Obviously for mature audiences, but surprisingly has only one f-bomb. Very well done.
7:16-8:30: Cross. Dull Boy. Again, the difference between the character development in fiction for high school and middle school comes up. Avery has had an unremarkable life, but has started to get in trouble because he can't control his increasing strength that manifests itself when he is afraid. He can also fly. He is approached by a woman named Cherchette, who wants him to leave his family to study how to use his powers with her, but he is apprehensive. He also meets other students with powers; Darla, who is trying to gather them together; Sophie, whose skin becomes sticky when she is afraid; Jacques, Cherchette's son who knows the horrible secret of why they all have their powers; and Nicholas, who can absorb things into a vortex.There is a lot of action and adventure, but there is also a lot about fitting in and discovering one's true self. I think there will be a sequel. I'm not sure about this one for middle school, due to the introspection. (308 pages)
8:31-9:15: Tacang. The Model President. BIG disappointment. The cover looks very similar to the Candy Apple Scholastic books, which are not hugely great literature but which are nicely done and vastly appealing to girls, Miss Reluctant Reader among them. This, however, was just weird. The plot also sounds like a Candy Apple book: "Junior inventor Millicent Madding is running for 6th grade class president against the most popular and trendy girl in the school." Okay. It's a little annoying when the election devolves into a "fashion walk-off", but what irritated me was all the purposelessly wacky details: Millie's parents have disappeared into a time machine. The head of the local "Pretty Liddy" school used to be a bearded lady. The uncle orders Lasagna Brittle ice cream. There are names like Heinrich Putzkammer and Paisley Slub. I got a hardcover copy at a "book look", but may not put it into the collection because I can see girls checking it out and returning it with their noses wrinkled up.
9:16-10:00: Philbrick. The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg. Also a "book look" copy, and suspect from the start. Horrible cover, and I'm not a huge fan of Freak the Mighty. This was one of those gently wacky Civil War books where the young boys wander about and get in various scrapes with evil but goofy outlaws. How many of those have I just deaccessioned? I found it nearly impossible to pay close attention after a Quaker man used "thee" as a nominative repeatedly. If you pay that little attention to grammatical detail, can the history be right? And I don't think I'm wrong. According to Curme's English Grammar, the subject form is "thou", the possessive is "thy" or "thine", and the rest of the oblique cases are "thee". (I give it to thee, I see thee, I walk with thee). Sigh. (217 pages)
10:01-12:20. Clayton. The Roar. Ah, now THIS was good. If you have students who liked The Hunger Games or Grant's Gone, definitely get a copy of this hefty tome (480 pages). It managed to very nicely sneak in character development in between pod fighter chases and evil henchmen. Most of all, I really like Mika, the main character. After the disappearance and assumed death of his twin sister Ellie, Mika has had trouble coping. Ever since the horrible Animal Plagues that forced the population of the world into cramped living quarters behind The Wall, people who aren't rich live in tiny, damp, moldy apartments, and the students especially have grim lives. When the Youth Development Team comes in and tries to get Mika to drink his Fit Mix, he rebels because he still believes Ellie is alive, and has a bad feeling about the attempts to get mutatnt students to take various potions and practice video games. This one really kept my attention. Mal Gorman was a great evil character, the book got off to a superb start, and the plot twists kept me turning the pages. Sure to be a sequel, and I will be anxious to read it.
So far 12 books; 3,156 pages; and we'll make it an even 14 hours, although I will probably check some blogs to see what others are up to!
Five hours; Five books
6:05-6:40: Lerangis. The Sword Thief. Book three in the 39 Clues series is every bit as action packed and fun as the other two. In this installment, Dan and Amy Cahill face off against the Kabra's and find an unlikely ally in Alistair Oh. The clues take them to Japan, where they find themselves both further imperilled but closer to more clues. I'm impressed at how the three authors (Riordan and Korman as well) have kept the consistency of writing and characterization so even. There's not a lot of character development; more on that later. 6:41-7:45: Harrison. The Pretty Committe Strikes Back. (Book 5, The Clique) Miss Reluctant Reader lurves these, so I've been catching up with her on them, but they are not pleasant books to read. Between the name dropping of make up and clothing that I don't understand, the unlikely situations the girls find themselves in (survival training in the Adirondacks with so few of them?), and the pure meanness of it all sets my teeth on edge. In this one, Massie opens a clinic to teach the "losers" how to kiss boys, even though she hasn't kissed any herself. I'm trying to get the appeal but failing utterly. There are about ten books out now, not counting the summer supplements. 7:46-9:25: Carroll. The Gathering. Book Two of The Quantum Prophecy. I don't think I believe Mr. Carroll that he doesn't run around blowing things up. This is quite action packed. Colin and Renata are unmasked as superhumans, and when Dioxin starts a vengeful killing spree to flush them out of hiding, their families as well as new superhumans band together. It's tough for the kids (including Danny, who is struggling with the loss of his arm and his super powers) to tell who is good and bad, and all sorts of secrets emerge, as well as some powers. Have come to the conclusion that action books frequently don't have as much character development as other genres, and that boys don't particularly care about this. This also would explain why I don't like Horowitz's Snakehead as well as his other books-- I wanted to know more about Alex's motivation. The only reason I was able to read this book was that all books had to be turned in for the end of the year-- I got a copy in September and it has never been in long enough for me to read it. Great stuff. 9:26-10:05: Weissman. Standing for Socks. Attractive cover, interesting premise: Fara gains some notoriety by always wearing two different socks, but finds that the very thing that brings her attention also impedes her ability to run for student government and make a difference at her school. There was something about this that was oddly distant; at the beginning time is broadly covered, and the tone is disassociated. There is way more discussion of socks than I have ever read in any teen books, and this starts to strain credulity. I didn't like Fara all that much, although since I always wear two different earrings, I feel her pain: after a while, she feels locked into having to wear different socks, so that it becomes no more original than wearing matching ones. It will circulate well; the girls will find the search for personal identity more interesting than I did. 10:06-11:15: Swanson. Chasing Lincoln's Killer. Absolutely top notch history, told in an appealing narrative style and beautifully illustrated with period photographs, newspaper clippings, and other documents. Minutely details the events leading up to and following Booth's assassination of Lincoln. I learned all sorts of minutiae that I'd never realized (Secretary of State Seward also had an attempt made on his life by coconspirators). This will have a broad appeal for boys who like to read about the Civil War, and I'm a bit sad that I won't be able to check it out to some of the eighth graders who are leaving. Titles for tomorrow's reading include My Vicksburg, The Mostly True Adventures of Homer P. Figg, The Rock and the River, Because I Am Furniture, Dull Boy and The Model President.
This weekend, I am not doing laundry. Not shopping, cooking, cleaning, driving children anywhere, attending any ceremonies, concerts or assemblies, or doing anything but READING.
I have convinced my family that this is actually something I am doing for work. Bribery in the form of Chinese food was necessary, but the troops are ready for the privations, if not the competition. My eldest has high school exams on Monday, my son will probably be writing instead of reading, and Miss Reluctant Reader would rather play tennis or clarinet.
As per contest rules, I will post from home, but my hamster-driven ISP precludes the inclusion of book covers.
Last year (March 8) I mentioned the HarperCollins First Kisses series. Finally got the fourth one, Love at First Click by Elizabeth Chandler. There are two wonderful things about these books-- they are about high schoolers but have nothing inappropriate, and they have strong female characters who have their own interests and stumble upon romances by chance.
Hayley is the school newspaper's sports photographer. She is hard working, no-nonsense, and level-headed, with the exception of a "camera crush" on Flynn. Her older sister, Breeze, is more interested in clothes and boys, and is rather demanding of her boyfriends. When her current inamorato, Jared, neglects her because of football season, she starts dating Flynn. Hayley ends up spending a lot of time with Flynn's young sisters, and gets to know Flynn better, to Breeze's chagrin. The ending will have all of my romance readers sighing pleasantly. Light, fun, escapist fiction for the preteen set.
Library Office???
There's the shelving down; and the circulation desk moved across the aisle from where it was. The space is wonderful, and the library is much more open. Two student computers will be located about where the date is stamped on the picture on right.
Here's the philosophical musing of the day: should I move the circulation desk just a little closer to the door and have a small "office"? The shelving behind (where I just moved the fiction) could be used for reference and career books (which are seldom used). I could have all my materials for processing, and perhaps even a flat work space.
The view of the library is still very clear, but I am concerned that this would make me less accessible. Since this would involve moving every book in the library AGAIN, I'm consulting staff members and not moving anything today.
Later: Ha ha ha. Annoyed everyone about it first thing and started moving books at 9:00 a.m. Now I have an office! It only involved moving 4,000 books or so. Note the reference collection behind the circulation desk, the desk, the shelves for processing books. I even have a moveable work table that is at my height! Just need the electrical and ethernet wiring moved, and I am in business! Of course, who knows how long we'll have to live with the dirty linoleum. Won't bother me. Behind the desk, I have new tile, which could easily be painted with a hopscotch grid!
1 comment: Labels: redesign
Had a conversation on Friday with a book fair volunteer about Zilpha Keatley Snyder's vast body of work, then found a very dusty 1971 paperback of The Velvet Room (1965) while unearthing debris in 5th grader's room. I remember reading and loving this title in middle school, but could not remember what the book was about. This was not a book I owned as a child-- it was clearly something I picked up later. Why did it survive?
Robin's family is struggling to survive during the Great Depression. Her father is a musician, but his illness caused them to lose their home and become itinerant workers. When their car breaks down near an apricot farm, the father is offered a job and a place for the family to live. Robin meets the owner's daughter, an old woman, and gets to see inside the former mansion, wherein lies the velvet room of the title. There is a little bit of a mystery involving a girl named Bonita, and a happy ending for the family.
So what was so appealing about this book? Children seem to like to read about other people having a difficult time, and the depiction of the cabin the family has certainly is shocking to children of today, who are not used to such deprivation. Combine this with the velvet room, a place where only Robin is able to visit, and it's a winning combination very much like Edward's Mandy. Do children today long for a small place of their own? I remember having corners outside, under bushes and such, where I would play, pretending I was one of The Box Car Children. This is not a theme I have seen in recent literature, so perhaps its time has passed. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy of this in my library, although it does appear to be back in print. This is one that many adults seem to remember fondly.
The Story of the Dictionary: Or, why it's good to ...
Last year (March 8) I mentioned the HarperCollins ...


text:
Vetco Aibel awarded Ormen Lange contract
October 1, 2004, 09:00 CEST
Hydro on behalf of the Ormen Lange license group has awarded Vetco Aibel AS (former ABB Offshore Systems AS) a contract for part of the Ormen Lange gas terminal at Nyhamna in northwest Norway. The contract value is approximately NOK 600 million.
The EPC contract covers engineering, procurement and construction of a system for MEG (Monoethylen-Glycol) regeneration including a tank farm. MEG is used as anti-freeze in the wellstream to prevent ice formation and plugs (hydrates) in the subsea production facility and in the pipelines bringing the gas to shore.
Engineering and procurement will start immediately at Vetco Aibels offices near Oslo. Construction activities in the MEG area at Nyhamna starts in March 2005 and pre-fabrication at Vetco Aibels yard in Haugesund starts in August the same year.
Vetco Aibel was in early September awarded another big Ormen Lange contract covering engineering, procurement and construction of a system for condensate export from the Nyhamna plant. The two contracts will be coordinated to achieve synergies.
Hydro is operator for Ormen Lange during the development phase, including all field development, the gas processing plant at Nyhamna, as well as the export pipeline project - Langeled.
Ormen Lange is the largest gas field under development on the Norwegian continental shelf. It is located 100 km off the northwest coast of Norway at a water depths of 800 to 1,100 meters. The field comes on stream in October 2007.
Partners in the Ormen Lange license group:
Hydro (operator for the development phase) 18.0728 %
Shell (operator during the operational phase) 17.0375 %
Petoro 36.4750 %
Statoil 10.8441 %
BP 10.3420 %
ExxonMobil 7.2286 %


Community Care Fund - Many donors prefer United Way of Berks County's convenient, one-step way to help others by opting to have their contribution support the Community Care Fund. Donors selecting this option are choosing the community volunteer process to conduct the research to determine how funds can be best invested strategically in high priority and high performing health and human service programs in the areas of education, income, health and safety-net services. The goal of the Community Care Fund is to invest in measurable, innovative and impactful programs and initiatives to help local people, including children, families and older adults. The volunteer driven investment process is the foundation of the role United Way of Berks County plays in the community.
United Way of Berks County recognizes that some donors prefer to direct their contribution; therefore, the following options are available beyond the Community Care Fund. Due to processing costs, a minimum gift of $25.00 is required to designate a gift.
Partner Agency – A gift of $25.00 or more can be designated to a United Way of Berks County "partner agency or agencies" as noted on the pledge form. Any designation to a partner agency is treated as "first dollar in" which means designated dollars are counted first towards a partner agency annual investment becoming the minimum guaranteed amount that will be received by the agency. If designations exceed the annual investment amount, the partner agency will receive the overage and will receive payment as designations are received by United Way of Berks County. By using "first dollar in" if someone makes a $500 pledge to one of our partner agencies but then is unable to fulfill it we still pay the pledge on their behalf providing stable funding for our partner agencies.
Other United Ways - A gift of $25.00 or more can be designated to other United Ways throughout the country or can be shared between United Way of Berks County and another United Way. United Way of Berks County will pay designations based on actual receipts less a small processing fee.
Omit a Partner Agency From Contribution – A gift of $25.00 or more can be directed to the Community Care Fund with the understanding that a United Way of Berks County partner agency(ies) will NOT benefit from the gift. After annual investment amounts are determined, through the community volunteer process, the portion that would have normally been applied to the partner agency allocation (but was designated to be omitted from a particular agency) will be subtracted and redistributed among the other partner agencies.
United Way of Berks County will operate in good faith in honoring the designations of contributors. In the event that the United Way cannot clearly determine the donor's intent (i.e., illegible written information, incomplete information, etc.) or the noted designation does not meet available options (outlined above) United Way of Berks County will attempt to make direct contact (written or telephone) with the contributor to obtain clear direction whenever possible. If such efforts should fail to produce clear direction from the contributor, United Way will distribute the gift as if it were designated to the Community Care Fund.
Donor contact information and pledge amount is shared with partner agencies and/or other United Ways if the donor requests a designation. It is the responsibility of the partner agency and/or other United Way to acknowledge designated gifts unless a donor has requested not to receive an acknowledgment letter (opt out check box on the pledge card).
All questions about the United Way of Berks County Designation program should be directed to Kristin Gehris at 610-685-4567 or kristing@uwberks.org.


I think I met you in Phoenix, '83-'84.
Part of the Colorado crew that rolled in for a couple of big races.
I recall that the track was a motor burner, wired with taps that were WAY too big for the day's magnet designs.
So hey dude, I think you are the guy I remember. I recall you might of been a moto-x racer.
I can help you with some HP.
Going to tracks since i was a kid, racing my first USRA group 15 as a young teen.(Circle T Raceway) and tracks throughout the San Fernando valley.In my early 20's,worked at a track in Lancaster,CA. as a tech and building my own "XTC" Racing chassis and motors, thanks to Monty O, Don A. and a few others RIP brothers.
Years later i find a track here in Vegas again.


text:
Q: Do error checking costs of quantum computing shrink BQP? BQP is the set of problems solvable in polynomial time for a given error tolerance, and it is suspected to be larger than P (and BPP, which is probably equal to P). However, inability for the gates to act perfectly, etc would require error-checking overhead. What is the overhead cost in the algorithm? In particular, does either the time or the number of q-bits overhead grow more than polynomially in the problem size (if it did then BQP would be altered)?

A: The threshold theorem says that if the error rate is below the threshold, a quantum algorithm with T locations (breadth times depth) can be made fault-tolerant with a blow-up (in both number of qubits and circuit size) by a factor which is a polynomial in the log of T.  This is not enough to change BQP.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Quidditch Keeper Bag (appx 9 inches wide by 7 inches tall) fully lined with fantastic beast fabric. $20.
Thank you to everyone who came out to the market on Saturday! I had lots of fun and picked up some goodies from the other vendors. Pictured is Mirkwood which will make its debut on May 2.
Double tap if you would absolutely DIE for this genuine crystal dice set 😍💜💫. . Check out Crystal Maggie on Etsy to purchase!
Who's your fave sci-fi couple 💘 - Spidey and MJ are always super adorable together, or I love Rogue and Gambit in the X-Men comics. - These little heart boxes are £9 / $12 each and can be custom made with your fave couple on the lid. This one is ready to ship now.


Scholarship and earning commissioned rank, and Commercial Licence and Flying Instructor Rating at age 19.
aircraft types including business jets.
are regularly sought by industry and the media.
Steve was instrumental in developing new aviation markets and business in the region as far back as the 1970s.
Alliance Airlines, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange in December 2001.
Texas which provided refuelling and support services for major airlines and business aviation.
through Flight Options in 2011.
Steve appointed Deputy Chairman of Hawker Pacific (Australia).
men and women Australia wide.
engineers and other aviation related sectors in Australia and overseas.
Sunshine Coast and Sydney and has a personal interest in collecting classic cars.